Prince George’s County resident LaTara Harris was named AT&T’s new regional director of external affairs for AT&T in the Mid Atlantic. She will focus on local legislative and regulatory affairs in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.

She joins AT&T after more than ten years with the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education, where she held a variety of senior roles including director of partnerships and outreach. Earlier in her career, she was finance manager for a major management-consulting firm and an accountant for a local nonprofit organization.

Harris also is active in her community. She serves on the board of The Living Legacy Foundation and is a member of the Prince George’s Public Schools Business Advisory Council. She also serves on the board of visitors of Coppin State University. She is an alumna of the Greater Baltimore Committee’s prestigious Leadership program.

In 2010, Harris was honored for her contributions to her community and for her professional success. She received the Maryland Daily Record’s “2010 VIP Successful by 40” award, the Toastmasters International Communications Achievement Award, and the National Association of Health Services Executive Community Engagement Award.

“LaTara has the perfect background for her new role – a strong grasp of public policy issues, a history of service to her community, and a great record of building partnerships across the region,” J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have LaTara on our team.”

“AT&T is a great corporate citizen that has kept our communities connected for more than 100 years,” Harris said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to the new challenges on the horizon and to helping AT&T achieve its goals for its customers and employees in the region.”

Harris earned her undergraduate degree from Bowie State University and her MBA from the University of Maryland, University College.